Record containers



g- 29, 1967 J. M. CALLIHAN ETAL 3,338,464

RECORD CONTAINERS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 26, 1965 INVENTORS M44455M. 6411mm ATTORNEY 29, 1967 J. M. CALLIHAN ETAL 3,338,464

RECORD CONTAINERS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 26, 1965 Mum W m m 5 y 2Wu Z W 5 M MM ATTORNEY g- 1967 J. M. CALLIHAN ETAL 3,338,464

RECORD CONTAINERS Filed March 26, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 BY ATTORNEYUnited States Patent 3,338,464 RECORD CONTAINERS James M. Callihan,Elyria, and Clarence M. Norris, Oberlin, Ohio, assignors to The GeneralIndustries Company, Elyria, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Mar. 26,1965, Ser. No. 442,932

8 Claims. (Cl. 220-60) This invention relates to a record container andrelates more particularly to an improved container of the type adaptedto act as both an enclosure and a mailing receptacle.

Commonly, records are placed in containers of various forms, thecontainers are then placed in mailing envelopes and straps are fastenedabout the same to securely fasten the same; the envelope usuallycontains a mailing address pocket covered by translucent material.

- It is an object of this invention to provide a container for recordswhich will have means integrally formed therewith for securing the sameagainst any dislodgment or opening in transit and yet which containsmeans which may be easily displaced for inspection purposes, the lockbeing easily manipulated, as for example, by a blind person receiving orsending the same.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a container of thetype referred to which has improved address card mounting means.

Still a further object is to provide improved guide and stabilizingsupport means for the container of this invention.

Another object of this invention is to provide a container which will besturdy and durable in use, formsustaining, afford suitable protectionfor records seated therein under storage, use and transit conditions,and which will be relatively inexpensive to manufacture, being composedof a minimum of parts, and be highly efiicient in use.

Other objects of this invention and the invention itself will becomemore readily apparent from the appended description and the accompanyingdrawings, in which drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side perspective view of the container of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the outside top of the container;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the inside of the top and bottom of thecontainer;

FIGURE 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the container in closedposition;

FIGURE 5 is an exploded enlarged view of the cooperating fasteningportions of the top and bottom container members;

FIGURE 6 is a view of the fastening portions secured in one step;

FIGURE 7 is a view of the fastening portions showing further fasteningof the same;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged top view of the marking address portion of thecontainer;

FIGURE 9 is an end view of the address portion of the container;

FIGURE 10 shows an address card inserted at one end of the addressportion of the container and in the process of being removed by a thumbinserted within the thumb insert disposed on an opposite end.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, in all of which likeparts are designated by like reference characters, at 10 we show arecord container comprising a lower section 11 and an upper section 12hingedly secured thereto by a hinge 13 of any suitable construction. Thesections 11 and 12 may be injection molded or formed in any otherdesired manner of a polypropylene or other suitable plastic material. Itis preferred that the material 3,338,464 Patented Aug. 29, 1967 be ahigh impact material for protective purposes and, as shown in FIGURE 5,the external surfaces are preferably of textured leather appearance andthe interior surfaces are of a smooth finish. The hinge 13 is preferablya plated brass hinge secured by aluminum rivets 14 or the like to theupper and lower sections of the container (see FIG- URES 2, 3, and 4).

The lower section 11 comprises a bottom wall 15 and an upstanding wall16 completely surrounding the bottom wall. The said section ispreferably rectangular, as shown. At each of the opposite cornersadjacent the forward portion of the wall 16 an integrally formed post 17is positioned, said post being preferably provided with a frustoconicalupper end portion 18 adapted to be projected into pillars 19, 19disposed at similarly disposed opposite corners of the cover section 12adjacent the forward portion of the wall 25 surrounding the upper wall27 thereof. Each of the said pillars is provided with a tapered bore 20to receive the uppermost conical end portions 25 respectively of theposts.

As stated, the uppersection 12 of the container comprises an upper wall27 and a surrounding wall 25 depends therefrom. The said upper or coversection 12 is preferably rectangular, as shown. It will be observed thatin the form shown, the wall 25 is provided with a recess 29 extendingthroughout the length of the wall wherefor the recessed portion 29 ofthe wall 28 is adapted to be clamped over the upstanding wall 16 of thelower section and rests on an outstanding rib 16' integrally formed inthe outer face of the upstanding wall 16 in the lower section 11 andextending substantially throughout its length. The rib 16' extends froma point adjacent the hinge 13 at one side of the rear portion of thewall 16 around the side portions of the wall and is interrupted brieflyon either side of the forward portion of the exterior surface of thewall and then proceeds to a point adjacent and on either side of a catch30 integrally formed, centrally located and extending forwardly of theforward portion of the wall 16. The catch 30 comprises a generallyrectangular member having an elongated rectangular opening 31 therein,surrounded by a forward keeper arm 32 having a rounded protuberance 33at either end thereof, a pair of generally triangular rearwardlydisposed extensions 34 at either end thereof and an elongated rearkeeper arm 35. The upper section 12 carries medially on the exteriorface of its forward wall in alignment with the catch 30 a latch andkeeper member 36 integrally formed with the upper section 12. Said latchand keeper member 36 comprises a fastening tab 36' protruding therefrom,the hinge line 37 permitting the tab to pivot on an edge of the top wall27 or of an extension 27' thereof, as shown, and a latch portion 38integrally formed therein. The latch portion 38 has an apertured flapportion 39 depending therefrom, the said flap having a U-shaped slot 40therein. The tab 36' is provided on its lowermost edge with a peripheraloutwardly projecting lip or head 70.

When the cover 12 is seated on the lower section 11, the flap 39contacts the keeper arm 32 of the catch 30 and the flexible flap ismoved outwardly thereby and snapped thereover, wherefor the arm 32 isprojected through the yoke of the opening 40. The opposite ends of thekeeper arms 34 are then seated in the notches 41 at the ends of theopening 40 and the arm edge 42 of the flap overlies the keeper arm 35(FIGURE 6).

Thereafter, as shown in FIGURE 7, the tab 36' is bowed and its free endpassed over the flap 39 and between the flap and the keeper arm 32securely fastening the sections against accidental dislodgment ofcontents, such as records, contained or transported therein. The lip 70of the tab 36 prevents accidental dislodgment of the tab from itsengagement with the catch 30.

The top section 12 of the container is further provided with inwardlydisposed guide tabs 45 integrally formed therewith and disposed oneither side of said section abutting the wall 25 and spaced inwardly ofthe recess 29 wherefor when the cover section 12 is clamped over thelower section 11 the side portions of the wall 16 of said lower section11 are guided by the tabs 45 into the recess 29 and lateral shifting isprevented of the respective sections. Integrally formed lugs or stops 46are preferably formed on the outer rear face of the walls 16- and 25 andadapted to abut when the container is opened to full open position, asshown in FIGURE 3.

The top wall 27 of the upper cover section 12, is, as shown, preferablyprovided with a recessed rectangular panel portion 50 having an addresscard receptacle 51 integrally formed therein by providing the cardreceptacle portion of the panel with an upstanding interrupted inwardlydirected rim 52 disposed on either of the longitudinal sides 53, 54 ofthe card pocket overlying longitudinal spaced openings in the panel oneither of the opposite sides 53, 54 of the pocket. Upstanding ribs 56are provided adjacent the side 57 of the pocket and said ribs representan extension of the rim 52. On side 58 of the pocket a pair of parallelspaced ribs 59 generally at right angles to said side 58 are providedwhich act as stops with the ribs 56 to retain the card in the pocketduring shipment. As shown, the rim 52 is provided with U- shaped notches60 which overlie tongues 61 connecting the relatively depressed flatundersurface 52 of the pocket to the upwardly spaced overhanging rim 52.

The card may either be inserted from the edge 58, as shown in FIGURE 10,sliding the same over the surface 62 and over the tongues 61 under therims until it contacts the upstanding ribs 56 at which point it willhave passed the guide ribs 59 and be securely seated in the pocket andremoved in reverse fashion Wherefor the card may be reversed and readyfor return shipment as dictated by the opposite side of the card, or itmay be inserted or removed by placing an edge of the card beneath therim portions adjacent an edge, either 53 or 54, of the pocket, bowingthe card and sliding the opposite edge thereof beneath the rim portionsadjacent the opposite edge thereto.

In operation, as stated hereinbelow, it is proposed to use the containerparticularly for mailing records to and from the blind, hence it isessential that the container be readily available for inspection, as bypostal authorities and yet be doubly secure against accidentaldislodgment, further that a sightless person may readily manipulate theopening and closing and the fastening means and the address card. Hencethe formation of portions of the container in such manner as to bereadily locatable and operated by touch and the use of lift tabs, asshown at 80, FIGURES l and 2.

As stated, the container is particularly adapted for use by and for theblind but it is further adaptable for use as a shipping container orstorage container for records or the like and index cards as well asaddress cards could be used in the container pocket.

Although we have described this invention in connection with a preferredembodiment, we are aware that numerous and extensive departures may bemade therein without, however, departing from the spirit of thisinvention or the scope of the appended claims.

What we claim is:

1. A phonograph record container or the like comprising a lower sectionand an upper section hingedly mounted thereon said lower section andsaid upper section each having surrounding side walls, the side walls ofthe said upper section overlapping a portion of the side walls of thelower section, the walls of the said upper section having inwardlydisposed guide means integrally formed therewith spaced from said wallsand adapted to lap an opposite side of the walls of the lower sectionwhere by said walls are guided into nesting engagement, the

upper section having latch means integrally formed in portions of theside wall surrounding the same, the lower section having a catchintegrally formed therewith, the said latch means and catch beingadapted to be interlocked during nesting engagement of the sections.

2. A phonograph record container or the like as claimed in claim 1 inwhich said latch means has an opening therethrough and said catchprojects through said opening and beyond said latch means when saidlatch means and catch are interlocked, said latch means having a tabhingedly mounted thereon, which tab being adapted to engage said catchbeyond said latch means and further secure the sections againstdisengagement.

3. A phonograph record container or the like as claimed in claim 2 inwhich said catch has an opening thereth-rough disposed beyond said latchmeans when said latch means and catch are interlocked, said tabprojectable through said last mentioned opening to engage said catch,said tab having a lip adjacent to the distal end thereof and extendingoutwardly thereof to prevent accidental withdrawal of said tab.

4. A phonograph record container or the like comprising a lower sectionand an upper section hingedly secured thereto, said lower sectioncomprising a bottom wall and an upstanding side wall surrounding thebottom wall, said upper section comprising an upper wall and a dependingside wall surrounding the upper wall, the side wall of the said uppersection being clamped over the side wall of said lower section, the sidewall of said lower section having a catch member projecting outwardlytherefrom, said catch member having an open-ing therethrough, the sidewall of said upper section having a latch member comprising a flapportion projecting downwardly from the side wall of said upper section,said flap being provided with an aperture, a portion of the catch memberbeing adapted to project outwardly through the said aperture in theflap, a fastening tab hingedly mounted on an upper portion of said latchmember and adapted to be disposed through the opening in said catch andto abut a lower portion of said flap member disposed below the outwardlyprojecting portion of said catch to securely lock the upper section tothe lower section.

5. A phonograph record container or the like comprising a lower sectionand an upper section hingedly secured thereto, said lower sectioncomprising a bottom wall and an upstanding side wall surrounding thebottom wall, said upper section comprising an upper wall and a dependingside wall surrounding the upper wall, the depending wall having arecessed portion adapted to be clamped over the upstanding side wall ofthe bottom section, the side Wall of said upper section being clampedover the side wall of said lower section, the side wall of said lowersection having a catch member projecting outwardly therefrom, said catchmember having an opening therethrough, the side wall of said uppersection having a latch member comprising a flap portion projectingdownwardly from the side wall of said upper section, said flap beingprovided with an aperture, the said aperture seating the outwardlyprojecting portion of the catch therein, a fastening tab hingedlymounted on an upper portion of said latch member and adapted to bedisposed through the said opening in said catch and adapted to abut aportion of the flap of the latch member to securely lock the uppersection to the lower section upon which it is seated.

6. A phonograph record container or the like comprising a lower sectionand an upper section hingedly mounted thereon, said lower section andsaid upper section each having surrounding side walls, said walls havingguide means integrally formed therewith whereby said walls are guidedinto nesting engagement, the upper section having latch means integrallyformed in portions of the side wall surrounding the same, the lowersection having a catch being adapted to be interlocked during nest-ingengagement of the sections, the said catch being provided with aforwardly disposed keeper arm, a rearwardly disposed keeper arm, anelongated opening between said forwardly and rearwardly disposed keeperarms, the said latch means having an apertured flap portion, the saidflap portion being snapped over said forwardly disposed keeper arm anddisposed to underlie the same, said forwardly disposed keeper arm havingprotuber-ances extending outwardly thereof preventing accidentaldisengagement of the latch means, flap, and catch.

7. A phonograph record container or the like comprising a lower sectionand an upper section hingedly mounted thereon, said lower section andsaid upper section each having surrounding side walls, said walls havingguide means integrally formed therewith whereby said walls are guidedinto nesting engagement, the upper section having latch means integrallyformed in portions of the side wall surrounding the same, the lowersection having a catch integrally formed therewith, the said latch meansand catch being adapted to be interlocked during nesting engagement ofthe sections, the said catch being provided with a forwardly disposedkeeper arm, a rearwardly disposed keeper arm, an elongated openingbetween said forwardly and rearwardly disposed keeper arms, the saidlatch means having an ape-rtu-red flap portion, the said flap portionbeing snapped over the forwardly disposed keeper arm and disposed tounderlie the same, said forwardly disposed keeper arm havingprotuherances extending outwardly thereof preventing accidentaldisengagement of the latch flap and catch said keeper arms beingconnected by angled lateral portions, the said flap aperture being aU-shaped slot, the legs of said U-shaped slot of the flap adapted tohave the angled lateral portions connecting the keeper arms projectedtherethrough.

8. A phonograph record container or the like comprising a lower sectionand an upper section hingedly mounted thereon, said lower section andsaid upper section each having surrounding side walls, said walls havingguide means integrally formed therewith whereby said walls are guidedinto nesting engagement, the upper section having latch means integrallyformed in portions of the side wall surrounding the same, the lowersection having a catch integrally formed therewith, the said latch meansand catch being adapted to be interlocked during nesting engagement ofthe sections, the said catch being provided with a foiwardly disposedkeeper arm, a rearwardly disposed keeper arm, an elongated openingbetween said forwardly and rearwardly disposed keeper arms, the saidlatch means having an apertured flap portion, the said flap portionbeing snapped over the forwardly disposed keeper arm and disposed tounderlie the same, said forwardly disposed keeper arm havingprotuberances extending outwardly thereof preventing accidentaldisengage- :ment of the latch means, flap, and catch, a portion of saidflap portion being adapted to be disposed through said opening in thecatch and to further secure the nested sections.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 505,531 9/1893 Hasker 3121,048,556- 12/1912 Mackie 229-84 3,107,783 10/ 196 3 Corey et al.

THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

JAMES B. MARBERT, Examiner.

1. A PHONOGRAPH RECORD CONTAINER OR THE LIKE COMPRISING A LOWER SECTIONAND AN UPPER SECTION HINGEDLY MOUNTED THEREON SAID LOWER SECTION ANDSAID UPPER SECTION EACH HAVING SURROUNDING SIDE WALLS, THE SIDE WALLS OFTHE SAID UPPER SECTION OVERLAPPING A PORTION OF THE SIDE WALLS OF THELOWER SECTION, THE WALLS OF THE SAID UPPER SECTION HAVING INWARDLYDISPOSED GUIDE MEANS INTEGRALLY FORMED THEREWITH SPACED FROM SAID WALLSAND ADAPTED TO LAP AN OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE WALLS OF THE LOWER SECTIONWHEREBY SAID WALLS ARE GUIDED INTO NESTING ENGAGEMENT, THE UPPER SECTIONHAVING LATCH MEANS INTEGRALLY FORMED IN PORTIONS OF THE SIDE WALLSURROUNDING THE SAME, THE LOWER SECTION HAVING A CATCH INTEGRALLY FORMEDTHEREWITH, THE SAID LATCH MEANS AND CATCH BEING ADAPTED TO BEINTERLOCKED DURING NESTING ENGAGEMENT OF THE SECTIONS.